About this class

In this new Digital Age, our lives are becoming more entangled with our devices as we depend on technology to support us in everyday tasks. Technology has improved our lives in many ways, such as keeping us connected, using assistive technologies to gain independence, or sharing art and culture through social media. However, technology also has harmful effects on our well-being, and we cannot afford to ignore these impacts any longer.

There is another plague throughout the human race that must be addressed: mental illness. Mental illness does not discriminate – it impacts every person in some capacity, regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, or cultural background. It is present in every country around the world, and we must consider how the technology we use every day plays a role in our mental well-being.

Biologically, humans were not designed to sit in desk chairs or hunched over screens for hours at a time. We must consider how this sedentary lifestyle impacts our overall well-being – physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. How can we rebuild our relationship with nature and “look up” more during the day? The media we consume every day on the news, social media, movies/television, documentaries, etc., influence how we perceive the world. When all we are shown is negative messages, it can take a toll on our mental health and spirit. This is especially dangerous when the media we are shown is biased and skewed due to political agendas or Instagram filters.

How do we navigate our relationship with technology so that we reap the benefits it offers but reduce the risks to our mental well-being? It appears to be about balance. We can consider “The Goldilocks Effect” and ask ourselves: Where is the balance between too much tech and too little? How do we find what is “just right” for each of us? And where do we go from here?

Host

Lon Appleby, Durham College

Founder, Professor

Guests

Madison Westley, Ontario Tech University

Resources